‘Balochistan’s financial position will improve in 4 years’

CM Kamal attributes governance issues to shortage of financial resources

QUETTA: Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has said keeping in view the vast investment and development scope of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, the financial position of the province will improve within four years.

“Balochistan is facing challenges in good governance due to lack of resources,” said the chief minister while addressing a ceremony held at the Naval War College for the passing out of its 46th staff course participants on Tuesday. Information Minister Mir Zahoor Buledi and other government officials were present.

“CPEC will connect Balochistan to China, central Asia and other countries as it has already helped the province reach the international level. And it is not that that Balochistan lacks in natural resources, the largest province of the country is filled with the best minerals of the world,” said Kamal.

He said the province passed through a difficult phase in the last 15 years.

“A huge part of the population left the province due to the worsening law and order situation,” said Kamal.

The chief minister offered his condolence to the 16 Sri Lankan officers, who were part of this course, on the tragic incident that occurred in Sri Lanka. Eight bombs exploded in churches and hotels on Easter Sunday killing at least 290 people.

“There are governance issues due to shortage of financial resources. The crunch has resulted in stoppage of development work also. If the financial situation would have been good in the past, the condition of Balochistan would have changed by now,” said Kamal.

He said the provincial government was working tirelessly day and night for creating jobs, developing the province, and bringing improvement in the health, education and human resources sectors.

On investment, the CM said, “Balochistan has a coastal belt measuring 700 kilometres and the capacity to produce wind and solar energy. Chagai is on the top of the list for investment in solar energy as it can produce 20% of the country’s energy.” He further said Balochistan, through wind and solar energy, had the capacity to produce 35% energy for the national grid.